We're Home

Our summer is winding down! After leaving Ponderosa we spent a few days in Pagosa Springs with Russ' cousin Bill and his wife Carolyn. It is always exciting to see what they have done to their house since our last visit. We drove up into the forest and did a little target practice. Carolyn was sure one of the holes in that paper towel must be hers!





Our next stop before heading home was Durango where we always enjoy looking for wildlife. Not exactly "wildlife", we came across these beautiful Belgian work horses - we had never seen them in that area in years past. We think they are used to pull a stagecoach used for tourist excursions. There seems to be two herds of elk in the pasture land below Missionary Ridge - this one was calmly grazing about 7:30 in the evening.


This is a view of the valley north of Durango looking toward Silverton, taken from the trail along Missionary Ridge. The picture just doesn't do it justice! More wildlife!




Once again we stayed in the campground where the Silverton/Durango narrow gauge railroad comes right through the camp - at least 4 times a day and sometimes more if it's a holiday weekend. We're always glad to see the Welcome to Arizona sign at the state line!

Summer's Almost Over!

The deer finally discovered our bird feeder located about 15 feet from the motor home. Mom enjoys a mid-morning snack while babies approach with caution!


No, we didn't get a new car. Russ made a run into Denver for the camp director - used his car to make the trip. Russ was also called on to take a picture of the Unrein family reunion. We never knew what we would be asked to do!

BYE, BYE, PONDEROSA!

We left Monday, Aug. 31st, headed for Buena Vista, Pagosa Springs, Durango, Munds Park and...HOME!

Although we were in Buena Vista only one night, we made a side trip to the mining town of Leadville which is the highest (elevation) incorporated town in the U.S. Both Buena Vista and Leadville are popular Jeeping destinations.



The day after we left Ponderosa, a major task of moving the Aspen pavillion up the hill to the challenge course area was handled in fine style by the men of Ponderosa. The move relocated the structure from the north end of Ponderosa to the south end. Thanks to volunteer Anne Payne who sent us the pictures.

Wildlife, Alumni & Challenges

You never know what you're going to see when you travel the highways and jeep trails of Colorado! While on a jeep outing last week we came over a rise to see a small herd of buffalo. Obviously, "Big Buff" is the big daddy of the herd! Then, when we got back to camp, found this flock of crows devouring the seed that had fallen from our bird feeder! Not exactly the type birds I was trying to attract but I guess all God's creatures gotta eat.


We were privileged to have a group (200+) of home school alumni in camp last week. Most of them are Christian young adults (20s-30s) and came from all over the U.S. for their 4th annual reunion. They were undoubtedly the best behaved, most courteous group of people we had this summer...and they loved Ponderosa! Their activities were well planned and Christ-centered. Why, they even had an evening of country English dance that was a delight to watch - much like the dance in the movie "Pride and Prejudice."

Their program/schedule book also doubled as a "yearbook" in which they had old and new friends sign. When we walked out of the dining hall to get in our jeep and go back to the RV, they were using it to sign books. Many of them thanked us for all we had done for them, and asked us to sign their yearbook. This is a wonderful organization; if you know individuals who have received their education from home schooling, tell them to check out the website: http://homeschoolalumni.org/


Even though school is back in session, August has been a VERY busy month at Ponderosa. We had the following groups/organizations on site this month:
Volunteer Groups - 2 churches - Midland, Texas and Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Churches & Youth Groups - 17
Organizations - 7
Schools - 8
Family Reunions - 9


Last Sunday afternoon, staff and volunteers as well as family members of the team who runs the challenge course, were invited to test their skills. The zip line was one of the favorites. How many people have the opportunity to ride a zip line with a view of Pikes Peak in the background?

In this event, you climb to the top of the pole, stand up, and leap out to grab the trapeze. Not everyone is successful but thankfully, there is someone on the other end of the safety line to keep you from plunging to the ground!


Hopefully, the person experiencing this activity with you is strong enough to help you reach the top!


The rock wall is harder than it looks! Nancy's biggest challenge on the course was keeping warm (photo compliment of Anne Payne)


The Babes of Ponderosa! Terri, Tammy and Jenna, donn helmets and camouflage to defend their team, including Marcus and Mike, on the paintball field. What happens when you spill a cannister of paintballs? Everyone pitches in to pick 'em up!

Mother Nature Is At It Again

YIKES!! It happened again! About 4:00 yesterday afternoon we had a hailstorm worse than the last one. Hail stones the size of nickels pummeled the campground breaking out skylights on RVs and damaging roofs on buildings - thankfully, the buildings had not yet been repaired since the last storm. Once again, our RV sustained no damage, thank the Lord! The movie below shows some of the action; Nancy tried to narrate but the noise of the hail hitting the top of the motor home drowned her out! We will leave Ponderosa on Aug. 31st; hopefully, this will NOT happen again!

And The Fun Continues...

This is the main part of the lobby at The Ponderosa. Attempts have been made to make it a comfortable place in which to sit and visit with friends or even have small meetings. Everything looked so nice...except the fireplace screen they were using! We were able to find a fireplace screen website, so ordered this beautiful screen featuring pine trees and deer.

Alas, a poor little squirrel came to an untimely death on the road behind the dining hall. It's not one of Nancy's "assigned duties," but she picked him up and we gave him a not-so-dignified burial in the trash dumpster.









You just can't be in Colorado and not go out on a mountain trail or two! We took Mike and Tammy Tadlock (staff members), accompanied by Tom and Anne Payne (in their Jeep Liberty) on the Mt. Herman road, and an 8-mile 4x4 trail.



We're not sure what they're saying, but Russ and Tom look on as Mike and Tammy are having a serious disucussion about something!


We stopped for Mexican food when we got back into town. From the looks of their body language, Mike and Tom are saying, "This is the way it's gonna be." I think Anne and Tammy are saying, "Yeh, right!" It was a fun day enjoyed by all.


Russ and Tom spent a couple days aloft in a "cherry picker" putting plexiglass over the stained glass windows of the chapel.


Darlene and Derrel Thomas are friends from our Bible study class at Palmcroft. I first met Darlene when I was working at Moon Valley High School and she was a teacher. They have a lovely summer home in Denver and graciously met us at Landry's Seafood Restaurant for a fine dining experience and great conversation.